Faf, Steyn face fitness tests

Proteas / 21 March 2014, 2:34pm

SAPA

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 08: Faf Du Plessis Capt of South Africa during the South African national cricket team training session and press conference at AXXESS St Georges on March 08, 2014 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images)

Chittagong, Bangladesh – South African captain Faf du Plessis and spearhead Dale Steyn will undergo fitness tests ahead of their opening World Twenty20 game in Chittagong, the skipper said Friday.

Both du Plessis and Steyn took part in team practice on Friday but have not fully recovered from hamstring injuries.

“It's been a pretty intense week for Dale and myself trying to make sure we are 100 percent ready for the game tomorrow,” du Plessis said, ahead of the match against world number one Twenty20

team Sri Lanka.

“As of now we are still assessing, we both will do a fitness test tomorrow to see where we are. We seem to be okay, but we will have a look at it tomorrow to see how the hami (hamstring) is doing.”

Du Plessis missed both the warm-up matches ahead of the tournament while Steyn limped off after bowling 2.2 overs against Bangladesh 'A' on Tuesday.

Both missed the warm-up tie against Pakistan on Wednesday.

Du Plessis said he didn't face problems in batting.

“Batting is 100 percent fine. I don't feel anything, but it's just when you are sprinting. Pace wise I am up to about 70 per cent, hopefully we can crank that up to around 90-95 tomorrow.”

South Africa's one-day captain AB de Villiers is likely to lead in case du Plessis is ruled out on Saturday.

South Africa are in Group One of the event along with England and New Zealand as well as Sri Lanka. One qualifier will also join this group later Friday.

Title-holders the West Indies, Pakistan, India, Australia and Bangladesh are in Group Two.

Two top teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals. The final will be played in Dhaka on April 6. – Sapa-AFP